Mile of Music

Move to the beat at this one-of-a-kind, all-original music festival.

200 artists + 40 venues + 1 mile = the best original music festival in the country. Even Rolling Stone magazine will back us up on this one.

Founded in 2013, Mile of Music has spent the last 10 years bringing local and national up-and-coming artists to the streets of downtown Appleton. All the tunes are 100% original and the genres range from indie and folk-rock to soul, bluegrass, and more. From emerging singer-songwriters to multi-piece bands, over 200 artists come together to perform nearly 700 shows over the course of four days each August.

PC: Graham Images

So where can you watch these artists perform? From the aisles of the city bus to the lawn of our local University, everything becomes a venue on the one-mile stretch of College Avenue where the festival takes place. With venue sizes ranging from an outdoor amphitheater to martini lounges and taverns, each space provides a one-of-a-kind way to experience live music.

On a mission to make music accessible for all, there is no cover charge to enter the festival and nearly all shows are free to attend. Interested in learning how to make your own music? The festival’s Music Education Team hosts dozens of hands-on music events like artist-led songwriting workshops and interactive drum circles. There are events for children as well so everyone can be involved in the action.

Mile of Music saw over 80,000 attendees in 2022 alone. As the festival’s popularity continues to climb, thousands of applications flood in each year from artists hoping to be chosen to “play the Mile.” In a community where the spirit of originality and creativity run deep, Mile of Music is truly an unforgettable experience putting the Fox Cities’ music scene on the map.